The model of reversible middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischemia/reperfusion was established by suture method in Wistar rats. Immunohistochemistry method was uesd to detect the apoptotic gene bax protein expression in cerebral cortex. The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on apoptotic gene bax pro tein expression in cerebral cortex was evaluated in the focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion Wistar rats

including control group

focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion groups and electroacupuncture groups. In control group bax protein expression was weakly positive. In I3h group bax protein expression increased partly (P>0. 05)

bax protein expression increased markedly in I3h/R3h group and I3h/R6h group (P<0.01 )

and EA could make the bax protein expression decrease significantly in I3h/R3h group and I3h/R6h group (P < 0. 01 ). These results suggested that the antiapoptotic mechanism of EA at bilateral "Hegu" Points (LI4) may be related to the downregulation of bax protein expression.